Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for clemency in his ongoing corruption trial was still under review, after Donald Trump called him “disgraceful” for not granting it.
File photo of Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting with the German Chancellor at his residence in Jerusalem on December 6, 2025. (AFP file)Netanyahu has long argued that the case against him, which began in 2019, is a “political trial” and US President Trump called for an outright pardon for Herzog in a speech to the Israeli parliament in October.
“The prime minister’s request is currently under review at the Ministry of Justice for a legal opinion in accordance with established procedures,” Herzog’s office said.
“President Herzog will consider the request in accordance with the law only when that process is completed… and without the influence of any external or internal pressure,” it added.
“Contrary to the impression created by President Trump’s comments, President Herzog has not yet made a decision on the matter.”
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Netanyahu was in Washington for talks with Trump, who said during a press conference at the White House on Thursday that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not responding positively to the pardon request.
“I think the people of Israel should really shame him. Shame on him for not giving it,” Trump said.
Netanyahu is facing charges in two cases in which he negotiated favorable media coverage from Israeli news outlets, and in a third alleging that he accepted more than $260,000 in lavish gifts from billionaires in exchange for political favors.
A fourth corruption charge was earlier dismissed.
Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in three court cases, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial for corruption.
After Trump’s speech to parliament, he sent a letter to Herzog asking for Netanyahu’s pardon, which was followed shortly after by a formal request from Netanyahu’s lawyers.
